Fuel Subsidy Removal Will Not Take Immediate Effect Till End Of June – Tinubu

Nigeria’s newly inaugurated President, Bola Ahmed Tinubu has given a more detailed analysis as regards the decision to remove fuel subsidy on petroleum products across the nation.

According to a statement released by his media team on Tuesday, May 30th 2023, President Bola Tinubu’s declaration that “subsidy is gone” is neither a new development nor an action of his new administration. However, “He was merely communicating the status quo, considering that the previous administration’s budget for fuel subsidy was planned and approved to last for only the first half of the year.”

This means that by the end of June, the Federal Government will be without funds to continue the subsidy regime, translating to its termination.

The President has further urged Nigerians to stop the “panic-buying that has ensued as a result of the communication” as it will not take immediate effect.

His statement reads as follows:

“The public is advised to note that President Bola Tinubu’s declaration that “subsidy is gone” is neither a new development nor an action of his new administration. He was merely communicating the status quo, considering that the previous administration’s budget for fuel subsidy was planned and approved to last for only the first half of the year.

Effectively, this means that by the end of June, the Federal Government will be without funds to continue the subsidy regime, translating to its termination. The panic-buying that has ensued as a result of the communication is needless; it will not take immediate effect.

Furthermore, President Tinubu was clear about his plans to re-channel the funds previously devoted to the payment of subsidies into better investments that will cushion the effects of the removal on the general public, especially the poor of the poor. This includes but is not limited to investments in public infrastructure, education, healthcare and jobs that will materially improve the lives of millions of Nigerians and increase their earning potential.”